Zeiss 85mm f/4 vs Voigtlander 90mm f/2.8 APO

[TeeBee]

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G'day all, 

I need a landscape lens with an 85 or 90-mm focal length. I narrowed down my search to these two lenses: Zeiss 85mm f/4 and Voigtlander 90mm f/2.8 APO. What do you recommend for landscapes? I'm aware the Zeiss Tele-Tessar has been discontinued, but there are a couple of brand-new lenses online that I could source if I don't wait for too long. Please post if you have any sample photos. 🙂  

Thanks much in advance. 

[pedaes]

I do not have sample photos so can't post🙃 But I would take away the conundrum and get a coded 90mm Summarit 2.4 which you should find for the same money.

[lct]

I own both lenses. The CV 90/2.8 is more compact and lighter. It is a sort of modern "fat" Tele-Elmarit 90/2.8 that is a sharp lens easy to handle and taking little room in the bag. But there is a but: color fringing. Contrary to what its "apo" name could suggest, the lens is prone to such fringing due to chromatic aberration i guess but i know nothing about that. The ZM 85/4 has not this problem and is almost perfect performance wise. Only con is size, it is not as compact as the CV lens but less bulky than Summicron's 90/2 or Elmarit 90/2.8 v2.

Edited August 16, 2024 by lct

[lct]

1 hour ago, TeeBee said:

I'm aware the Zeiss Tele-Tessar has been discontinued, but there are a couple of brand-new lenses online that I could source if I don't wait for too long. Please post if you have any sample photos.

Couple of snaps with ZM 85/4 on M11 below. The 2nd pic is a crop of the 1rst one.

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[Tessar.]

Secondhand M-Rokkor 90,mm f/4?

[BastianK]

vor 6 Stunden schrieb lct:

But there is a but: color fringing. Contrary to what its "apo" name could suggest, the lens is prone to such fringing due to chromatic aberration i guess but i know nothing about that.

You have any pictures showcasing that issue?
I do agree there is minor bokeh fringing, but it is still more Apo than any of Leica's M lenses with an Apo tag I came across so far 🙂

Here is a picture taken at f/2.8 with that lens with a lot of shiny stuff:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/199060835@N05/53647541263/in/album-72177720316158413
If that isn't "good enough" I don't know what is.

 

[lct]

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M11, CV 90/2.8 apo, f/2.8

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[TeeBee]

13 hours ago, lct said:

I own both lenses. The CV 90/2.8 is more compact and lighter. It is a sort of modern "fat" Tele-Elmarit 90/2.8 that is a sharp lens easy to handle and taking little room in the bag. But there is a but: color fringing. Contrary to what its "apo" name could suggest, the lens is prone to such fringing due to chromatic aberration i guess but i know nothing about that. The ZM 85/4 has not this problem and is almost perfect performance wise. Only con is size, it is not as compact as the CV lens but less bulky than Summicron's 90/2 or Elmarit 90/2.8 v2.

Thanks for the sample photos and this information. It seems the Zeiss 85mm is sharp and optically excellent wide open. I spoke to a seller in the US, and they said the lens is on backorder. I doubt that's possible, as Zeiss has discontinued this lens. 

 

14 hours ago, pedaes said:

I do not have sample photos so can't post🙃 But I would take away the conundrum and get a coded 90mm Summarit 2.4 which you should find for the same money.

It appears Leica discontinued the lens. I would prefer to buy a lens in brand-new condition; I will check to see whether I can find one. 

 

 

[TeeBee]

11 hours ago, Tessar. said:

Secondhand M-Rokkor 90,mm f/4?

I prefer to buy a brand new lens for peace of mind. I called the Leica store in Sydney and figured they have 90mm Summilux f/2 in stock (11884). I rarely use this focal length, so I'm trying to justify the cost. I might consider that as my last resort if it is truly worth its cost in terms of performance. 🙂 

[lct]

I would consider the Macro-Elmar 90/4 if you're after a brand new Leica lens.

[Ecar]

2 hours ago, TeeBee said:

I prefer to buy a brand new lens for peace of mind. I called the Leica store in Sydney and figured they have 90mm Summilux f/2 in stock (11884). I rarely use this focal length, so I'm trying to justify the cost. I might consider that as my last resort if it is truly worth its cost in terms of performance. 🙂 

That would be a Summicron...😉

Great lens, but large and expensive if bought new. I have one, along with the pre-APO v3 and the Elmarit 90/2.8, both of which I'd recommend over the APO for different reasons. I have no experience with Voigtlander or modern Zeiss lenses (except the Sonnar 85/2 ZM, but that's a different animal) in this F/L.

Regarding used vs. new: these long-ish focal lengths tend to see less use than, say, 50mm or 35mm. They can therefore be found in great condition, sometimes with their original packaging. Buying from a reputable seller with a guarantee should provide peace of mind - and substantial savings.

[Ecar]

6 minutes ago, lct said:

I would consider the Macro-Elmar 90/4 if you're after a brand new Leica lens.

That too - on the slow side, but smalll, light and excellent IQ.

[pedaes]

4 minutes ago, Ecar said:

but large and expensive

and very heavy (600gms). I know because I have one. The late and much missed Erwin Puts always argued the Leica Macro-Elmar-M is Leica's best 90.

[TeeBee]

48 minutes ago, Ecar said:

That would be a Summicron...😉

Great lens, but large and expensive if bought new. I have one, along with the pre-APO v3 and the Elmarit 90/2.8, both of which I'd recommend over the APO for different reasons. I have no experience with Voigtlander or modern Zeiss lenses (except the Sonnar 85/2 ZM, but that's a different animal) in this F/L.

 

My bad, yes, it's a Summicron. Is Macro-Elmar 90mm f/4 meant for macro? I need this for landscapes and architecture.

 

43 minutes ago, pedaes said:

and very heavy (600gms). I know because I have one. The late and much missed Erwin Puts always argued the Leica Macro-Elmar-M is Leica's best 90.

Ouch! Then, it's a deal breaker for me. I'm trying to find a lightweight lens for architecture and landscapes. 

[pedaes]

1 minute ago, TeeBee said:

meant for macro

No - it is a very fine general purpose 90mm lens that'll 'do' macro with an adapter. 

[lct]

http://www.slack.co.uk/2014/Leica_Macro_Elmar.html

[Ecar]

43 minutes ago, TeeBee said:

I'm trying to find a lightweight lens for architecture and landscapes. 

Unless architecture involves poorly-lit interiors where a faster lens may be useful, the Macro should meet your requirements.

[lct]

14 minutes ago, Ecar said:

Unless architecture involves poorly-lit interiors where a faster lens may be useful, the Macro should meet your requirements.

+1

[Ecar]

Couple of pictures taken with the Macro 90/4 on the M240 and already posted a few years ago on this forum. These are from the v1. If you were buying new, you'd be getting the V2. No optical difference that I'm aware of. Somewhat different ergonomics, however. If you are not going to use its macro capabilities, the main point that comes to mind is the non-reversible hood. You should find plenty of info by searching the forum.

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Hallo,

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[lct]

For those interested, couple of links to M11 snaps with Macro-Elmar 90/4 v1:
https://tinyurl.com/ywe7vjjz
https://tinyurl.com/bdh736ux
https://tinyurl.com/2rjufd47
https://tinyurl.com/4kzak4yx
https://tinyurl.com/mrutty2e
https://tinyurl.com/c7zcw42n